Report an Accident, Incident or Hazard

Reporting work-related incidents, injuries and hazardous situations

JCU policy stipulates that all staff, including casuals, as well as students are required to communicate work-related incidents, injuries or hazardous situations using RiskWare.

A work-related incident or hazard has two key elements:

The workplace, or work activity, contributed to the incident, injury, illness or hazard, and

The incident, injury, illness or hazard occurred during the course of employment.

What you need to know

All work-related incidents must be reported on RiskWare within 24 hours of the incident occurring. If full details of the incident or injury are not available within this time frame, the essential details as they are known should be submitted first, with updates when more additional details become available. Staff and students may contact the Injury Prevention and Management Advisor for immediate assistance.

Yes, it's possible to report a hazard. JCU encourages all staff and students to report hazards, particularly if it could cause injury or illness to people, or damage to plant and equipment.

It is also possible to report a work-related incident on behalf of other people, such as a colleague, student, contractor or visitor.

If an incident has occurred or a hazard has been identified that is not work-related (i.e. work was not a contributory factor and/or the incident did not occur during the course of employment) it should not be logged on RiskWare. If you are unsure please contact the Health, Safety and Environment team for advice.

Definitions

What is a work-related incident?

A work-related incident is finite and often isolated event which may cause injury, illness, property or environmental damage or some combination of all four in varying degrees from insignificant to catastrophic consequences, but is managed during the normal course of operations and within normal reporting lines, processes and procedures.

A work-related incident can be:

a work-related incident resulting in injury or illness

equipment failure, or 'a near miss' when there is potential for an injury or damage to property; the incident report serves as a record for future reference should there be any subsequent complication, e.g. delayed health effects, which may require the report as a factual base.

What is a work-related hazard?

A work-related hazard may be anything arising out of and during the course of employment that has the potential to cause injury or illness to people, or damage to plant or equipment.

The reporting of work-related incidents and identification of work-related hazards is critical to achieving a safe workplace: it prompts action to prevent any future accidents and injuries.

Safety Contacts

Health, Safety and Environment

Please do not hesitate to contact the Health, Safety and Environment team for assistance or advice by emailing safety@jcu.edu.au

We acknowledge Australian Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People as the first inhabitants of
the nation, and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students live, learn
and work.